SIDE STREETS: Back-to-school gear is part of a rich tradition, full of nostalgia

What’s surprising about back-to-school supplies is not that so many of them are new and trendy but rather that so many of the old favorites linger on, like the smell of chalk dust in a small, overheated classroom, back there in the 1950s.

What’s surprising about back-to-school supplies is not that so many of them are new and trendy but rather that so many of the old favorites linger on, like the smell of chalk dust in a small, overheated classroom, back there in the 1950s.

Crayons are still in the mix, pointed at one end like a missile, another reminder of the 1950s, for sale not far from the door of Fall River’s Walmart. White glue, too, the familiar squeeze bottle of everyone’s childhood, complete with the smiling cartoon face of “Elmer,” the company’s “spokesbull.” The company’s website says the iconic glue was introduced in 1967.

And pencils. What, in the day of the iPad, would a child do with a pencil?

But here they are, still yellow, still bearing both a pink eraser and the designation No. 2, but made in Indonesia.

And the black and white marbled cover “Composition Book” still lurks on the shelves of the President Avenue CVS, priced at $3.69 and made in Vietnam.

A stapler so small it fits in your hand.

In Walmart, for $7.97, a “V.I.P. Stationery” bubble pack dedicated to the advancement of British boy band One Direction.

The One Direction back-to-school kit comes with various school supplies, including five tiny rolls of “decorative tape,” one roll for each of the band’s members, all five of whom are pictured on the package.

Japanese feline Hello Kitty is still pitching, too. Staples in Fall River offered the friendly feline on a small shiny plastic zipper pouch useful as purse or a school supplies organizer.

The magnetic pencil bin on sale at Staples is not as big as the word “bin” suggests. In Fall River, the word “bin” is used almost exclusively to describe a trash can.

The pencil bin attaches by magnets to the inside of a metal school locker. Open the locker and the bin lights up. The bin is covered with small, bright flowers.

Backpacks come in plaid and green, neon colors and all purpose black.

There is at least some chance the name “Chima” means nothing to you but it describes a game that can be played with Legos and its name is on back-to-school goods from book covers to lunch boxes, most of them featuring ferocious animals unique to the Chima world.

“Once a pristine, natural paradise,” the Lego website says, “CHIMA has become a battle ground for eight animal tribes. Best friends are now enemies. The animals fight for control of a natural resource called CHI, a powerful element that is both a source of life and potential destruction.”

Serious business for back-to-school.

Mother Lila, who didn’t want to use her last name, and her sons Adam and Aaron walked out of Staples into the bright morning sunshine.

Page 2 of 2 - Aaron is heading into third grade this year. Adam is bound for fifth grade.